A sizeable number of reservoirs fall into the category of being old lakes. Over the years, bass fishermen have become more knowledgeable about how to fish them. These old lakes have, for the most part, held up well and are still providing fishing recreation.
History tells us that better fishing is often found on the upper ends as lakes age. There are some old lakes in which 70 to 90 percent of the catches are made on the upper end of the lake. I know some excellent fishermen who seldom check out the lower ends.
But this isn't always the case. Because of aquatic vegetation, the best catching on some takes will often be found in the mid-lake area.
Find The Structure
Remember that structure in an old lake isn't as plentiful as when it was young. The structure is limited on older lakes, and bass are known to hold very close to it.
When fishing older lakes, it's best to approach any structure with care and caution. Don't spook the fish. Remember that scatter-shooting casts won't work on old lakes. Instead, fish all the available structure very carefully and thoroughly. Your results will be much better, especially if you hit the target area, not five feet from it.
When the lake was young, it may have had a lot of timber. But now, there's much less. To find out, remember where that old timber was and thoroughly fish those areas. Some of it will remain. It's still down there. It's smaller and deteriorated, but it might just hold a stack of bass.
Profit From Exposure
The more you fish a lake, the more you will learn where bass will be during certain times of the year. You can benefit from spending time on a few close lakes, even if they are old-timers, rather than running all over the state to fish in newer waters.
Fish The Shad
I know anglers who start observing shad concentrations closely each November. Every time they go to the lake, they try to locate schools of shad and fish them. They know, sooner or later, bass will start working these schools.
Bob Davis fished concentrations of shad on Whitney for two months without much action. But he kept working the shad schools, and he and his partners won three tournaments in three different clubs. They averaged 20 pounds in one-day tournaments. Davis has always said if he can't find shad in the cold months, he will probably have tough fishing.
Look For Vegetation
Even during winter, you can find hydrilla, lily pads, and other aquatic vegetation, including "smart weeds" on lakes. If you find moss or any other kind of vegetation in the cold months, fish it.
Have Confidence
This factor is more critical when fishing older lakes than at other times. In new lakes, you will believe you just have to keep chunking and winding; sooner or later, you will find fish. In old reservoirs, it's easier to think the old lake is "fished out." It isn't. Keep a positive attitude; sometimes you will be surprised how well you can do on an old reservoir, which doesn't deserve the title "Has Been."
Don't Spook The Fish
I know I said this earlier, but take me seriously. In an older lake, fish are harder to catch because all the generations before that "learned" what noises and "signs" weren't good or safe. Also, in most predator/prey relationships, the prey species very often develop a resistance to predation. That means that over some time, "catchability" decreases, although the lake might still have a healthy population of fish.
Buddy Bradley has always put particular emphasis on not spooking fish. If you saw him on a lake, you wouldn't see him sitting in one of those elevated casting chairs. He didn't have one in his boat. His theory is that bass are sought from above the water when hatched by wading birds, ospreys, and men wearing bright clothes. He is the only fisherman I know who always wears olive drab clothing with a dark green cap while on the lake.
Minimize Noisy Casts
The most critical part of the cast is the point of contact when the lure hits the water. Many fishermen will use the lightest weight possible when fishing old lakes and concentrate on accuracy. Practice making quiet entries into the water with your baits. It will pay off particularly well in old lakes.
You can't work nearly as close to your fish when fishing clear lakes. Therefore, a long cast is beneficial, especially when using surface plugs.
Any Structure or Cover Attracts Fish
If you are a regular at an old lake, you don't need to be reminded to concentrate on fishing around boat docks and piers. They attract bass. As a lake ages, bass move shallower as deep holes silt in and oxygen runs out.
If you no longer visit the local old lake, go back and give it a try now and then. It might just surprise you. Just remember it may not be young, but the fish are there.
